Becoming a Childminder

Childminding is stimulating, rewarding, important and most of all enjoyable.

As a prospective childminder you must have completed training which helps you to understand and implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) before you can register with OfSTED. The EYFS sets the standards for learning, development and care of children from birth to 5. All registered early years providers are required to use the EYFS.

Take a look through our booklet to see what is involved in being a childminder. Although you can go through the registration process by yourself, we recommend that prospective childminders use the support and funding for training available from the local authority:

Please see our Flowchart to Becoming a Childminder through the local authority's process and read the information and details for the Pathways to Childminder Registration sessions. Information on the Preparing to work in a Home Based Childcare Service training course is given at the Pathways to Childminder Registration sessions:

Paediatric First Aid

As part of the EYFS criteria it is a requirement that all registered childminders hold a Paediatric First Aid certificate. Leicestershire County Council has a list of preferred training suppliers who deliver First Aid Courses around the county. You will need to book and pay for these direct with the training companies offering this course.

Funding

Once you have attended the Pathways to Childminder Registration and booked onto your Paediatric First Aid course, funding is available to help undertake 'Preparing to work in / Understanding how to set up a Home Based Childcare Service' course through PACEY.

Due to the level of expectations involved in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the necessary communication skills required, it is a requirement of funding that, before you proceed with registration, you are able to evidence that you hold a minimum of Level 2 in English Literacy (English GCSE A*-C).

English Literacy qualifications can be accessed free of charge. For more information visit the Adult Learning Service or call on 0800 988 0308. To assess what level you are currently at, go to Excellence Gateway.

Pathways to Childminder Registration Briefings

This session (£10) will provide you with more details on what’s involved in the process of becoming a childminder and how you become registered with Ofsted. This is an ideal opportunity for you to discuss any issues or ask questions. Cost: £10.

With the Childcare Sufficiency and Safeguarding Officer you will look at:

The law and the requirements of registration

Training requirements and availability

How or whether childminding will fit in with the family routine

The type of records a childminder needs to keep

An overview of business planning

Local contacts and support available

Completing the Ofsted application pack

Please note: a charge of up to £50 may be applicable for non-attendance without notification. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your place.

This course is recommended for prospective childminders who have not already completed training which helps you understand and implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This needs to be completed before applying for Ofsted registration.

It is a regulated qualification (officially recognised) and many of the criteria covered can be mapped to the Early Years Educator Qualification. This means that if you choose to progress with your studies to a full Level 3 qualification you can use some of the knowledge gained in the award. Upon completion you will receive a certificate.

Details on how to access this course (value £238.80) from PACEY will be provided by the Childcare Sufficiency and Safeguarding Officer at the Pathways to Childminder Registration session. A £50 payment is required to access this course.

In order to qualify for this funding, candidates must provide evidence that they hold either a GCSE/O Level English Language at Grade A*-C or English Literacy at Level 2.

Course details

This course is online learning so you study on your own at your own pace at home. The average learner completes the HBCA in around three months, you will have access to the support of your expert assessor.

Preparing to Work in Home-Based Childcare is a Level 3 Award. If you want to work in a home-based childcare setting as a registered childminder, childminding assistant or nanny, it's the perfect course for you.

The HBCA is an e-learning course completed online so you’ll need access to a computer, and some basic computer skills, to complete the course. It is designed to be flexible and to allow you to combine a qualification whilst balancing work commitments and family life. You can view your training on or offline on an Apple or Android handheld device (a phone or tablet), but you will need access to a PC or laptop in order to upload your written assignments to the e-learning platform.

Childminder Agencies

Although in their infancy, childminding agencies are being created around the country to support you becoming, and to developing your childminding business.

Childminder agencies are organisations that provide childminders with a range of services, including continuous professional development, training, quality assurance checks, brokerage with parents and business support.

Childminders can register with Ofsted through the process above or register with an Ofsted registered agency.

There are currently two childminder agencies operating in Leicestershire.

@HomeChildcare are based in Nottingham. You can join the agency, who offer a full start-up support and training service or pre-registration training only.

Rutland Early Years Agency Ltd offers support, training and development for childminders whilst allowing them to be independent businesses. They do this by offering a support package covering everything from newsletters and training information to your statutory obligations. You can then add to this support, as and when you need to, choosing from a range of bespoke options.

We will add details of any new agencies operating in Leicestershire as they are created.

If you are wanting to set up a childminding agency please read the DfE guidance. The Local Authority are happy to support any childminder agency wishing to start up in Leicestershire. Please contact 0116 305 7136.

Support

Childminder support groups

Childminder support groups are a great way to meet other childminders in the area where you live. The groups are run and organised individually by childminders themselves and offer different activities and experiences for childminders and children.

An Improvement Advisor and a Development Advisor visit the groups regularly to offer support, advice and guidance.

Find Out More

If you are still interested in becoming a Childminder, or would like more information, without any obligation, please complete the online form to book onto one of our Pathways to Childminder Registration workshops. Please ensure that you have read the childminding pack and flowchart before attending the workshop.

Organisations providing information, news, initiatives and events

The HMRC gives help and support to new and growing business through videos, webinars and e-learning. They also have a ready reckoner to help with budgeting for your tax bill as well as a product catalogue listing the support and help they give to businesses to meet their obligations to HMRC both accurately and on time.

Business Smart for ChildmindersBusiness Smart is a free online resource from the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY). It has been developed by childminders for childminders and is a collection of ideas, inspiration and tools to help childminders develop a sustainable business. You'll find top tips, videos, case studies, downloadable tools and other essential ideas to help you make the most of your business.